Focused Sound Safety Warning System

ABSTRACT

A warning system for intersections, particularly those involving a railway crossing is provided. The present invention comprises a triggering mechanism to identify when a target train or vehicle is approaching a target intersection, software to calculate the speed of the target vehicle or train in relation to the target intersection and further comprising sound emission features to emit a desired sound, and an acoustic beam emitter to focus a warning sound in the direction of and local to only the danger zone. Also provided is a supplementary system to provide a warning to pedestrian crossing predetermined danger points.

I. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to safety warning systems and, moreparticularly, to a safety warning system that employs a multi transducerphase emitter to focus sound in the direction of the potential danger.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Warning systems to prevent collisions between vehicles or pedestriansand trains have been used for decades. They are found in many forms. Themost commonly known is a crossing gate with warning signals sent out byspeakers attached to the gate. Other representative forms include asimple RR crossing sign, and a RR crossing sign with sound signals.Separate from the railroad intersection warning systems is a sound blastemanating from the train itself.

While these systems should create a satisfactory warning mechanism forrailway crossings, there continues to be a high number of vehicle/trainand pedestrian/train accidents each year. According to a Federal RailwayAuthority study conducted from 1989 to 1994, there was an average of6,481 accidents each year.

The most effective of the warnings is the train horn blast. However, upuntil recently communities were permitted to establish quiet areas via awhistle ban that prevented trains from blasting their horns except foremergencies. Many times blasting at the time of an emergency is toolate—the train cannot stop in time and the vehicle or pedestrian in thetrain's path cannot get out of the way.

In an attempt to decrease the number of accidents, Congress passed theSwift Rail Development Act, Public Law 103-440 (Swift Act), which addedSection 20153, Audible Warnings at Highway-Rail Crossings, to Title 49of the United States Code. Section 20153 directs the Federal RailAuthority to issue a rule requiring the use of train horns at all publichighway-rail crossings. Due to a subsequent ruling issued by the FederalRail Authority trains are required to sound their horns at every railcrossing in the US, including areas that currently have whistle bans.The whistle blast is to consist of two long blasts, one short blast onelong blast where a long blast is 5 seconds and a short blast is 2seconds. The total horn blast is 17 seconds per intersection. In cityareas with many railway crossings, there will be constant horn blastsfor several minutes with each passing train.

The sound generated by the train blast warning, can be heard, often veryloudly, outside of the danger zone. With the expected dramatic increaseof horn blasts this, in turn, will cause undue noise pollution, therebyaffecting the quality of life of those living within audible range ofthe intersection, decrease property values, and perhaps most importantlyresults in a situation wherein the actual location of potential dangercannot be precisely known. Even without the new rule, train horn blastscan be quite disruptive and, as stated above, are often timesineffective in preventing accidents. Moreover, certain areas, such asthose surrounding hospitals, need as quiet as possible. Horns blastingdisrupt this type of environment.

Attempts have been made to address the issue, including removing theblast from the train to a point perpendicular to an intersection where,upon activation, a horn blast is directed down the railway intersectingstreet. While prior attempts advance the art, they are limited by thefact that they rely on conventional air sound devices to create awarning. These devices continue to disrupt an unnecessarily large areasurrounding an intersection. A further limitation of the prior art isthat it does not appear to make attempt to calculate the speed of anoncoming train in order to better time the warning signal. Further, noattempt has been made monitor the cycling of the systems, thus leavingthe horn blasts to carry on for an indeterminate time until a trainpasses a predetermined point. This can cause a problem if a train ismoving slowly or stops at or near a crossing. Further the prior artattempts do not have provisions for additional, or separate, warningslocalized to areas such as pedestrian crosswalks.

To protect themselves from the onslaught of excessive noise, communitiescan create safety and quiet zones by using physical barriers such asfour quadrant gates, raised curbs or other barrier devices. The drawbackto the barrier type devices is that they are unsightly and expensive toinstall. The capital outlay for physical devices can be substantial,approaching $400,000 per intersection.

There is need, therefore, for an effective intersection warning devicethat is particularly suited for use with railway-street intersections,railway-crosswalk intersections, and railway platforms or other similarenvironments, such as roadways. The device should warn vehicles andpedestrians in an efficient, timely, and cost effective manner of anoncoming train, or in appropriate circumstances, of an oncoming vehicle.The device should produce an overall environment in which noisepollution is kept to a minimum and, in turn, quality of life andproperty values are maintained. Such a device is found in the presentinvention.

The present invention employs a triggering mechanism, speed/distancecalculating and sound emission software, and an acoustic beam emitter.The present invention is able to calculate the speed of an oncomingtrain in relation to a particular railway crossing. Based upon the speedof the train, the software will calculate the timing and, if needed, thetype of warning blast to be emitted from the acoustic beam emitter. Theacoustic beam emitter then generates a focused beam of sound in thedirection of the warning zone. Due to the unique characteristics of theacoustic beam emitter, only those within the warning zone will hear thewarning blast.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, even without theimplementation of the Federal Railway Authority ruling, the presentinvention offers communities and the nation's railway companies animproved method of alerting vehicles and pedestrians of an oncomingtrain. Moreover, and as will be also be appreciated by those in the art,the present invention is an effective means to produce a warning at anytype of intersection; for example, at street intersection to providewarning of an oncoming emergency vehicle.

III. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning systemthat uses a focused sound acoustic beam emission.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a warningsystem that employs speed/distance software to calculate the speed of anapproaching train or emergency vehicle in relation to an intersection.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a warningsystem that focuses the warning sound in only the direction of thedanger zone.

It is an advantage of the present invention that noise pollution will bedecreased.

It is another advantage of the present invention property values will bebetter maintained.

It is yet a further advantage of the present invention that quality oflife in the area surrounding a warning zone will be improved.

It is yet a further advantage of the present invention that the safetyof vehicle passengers and pedestrians in the area surrounding a warningzone will be improved.

The foregoing objects and advantages are provided for in the presentinvention and as more fully describes below.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a warningsystem for use in conjunction with railway crossings. The inventivesystem employs a motion sensing member that serves as a systemtriggering mechanism, software for calculating train speed and time toreach a predetermined point and for generating sound emission, and anacoustic beam emitter for sending a focused beam of sound throughoutonly a predetermined danger zone.

The present invention is activated by a passing train triggering themotion sensor. The motion sensor then sends a signal to a computer thathouses software, the software calculates the speed of the train inrelation to a particular predetermined railway crossing. Based upon thespeed of the train, the software will calculate the timing and, ifneeded, the type of warning blast to be emitted from the acoustic beamemitter. The acoustic beam emitter then generates a focused beam ofsound in the direction of the warning zone, the acoustic beam emitteremitting a sound only heard within the danger zone.

In another embodiment, the system is used for generating warning soundsin areas other than railway crossings. For non-limiting example, thesystem may be employed at a road intersection to warn intersectiontraffic and pedestrians of oncoming emergency vehicles.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the deviceincludes a separate motion detector for sensing motion pedestrian orvehicle movement past a predetermined safety area. In this embodiment,the acoustic sound emitter is placed at an angle generally perpendicularto the path of traffic. As a train (or in the case of a roadwayintersection, a vehicle) sets the main warning system in motion, thesecond motion detector is activated. If a pedestrian or vehicle passesthe second motion detector, the acoustic beam emitter placed generallyperpendicular to the path of traffic will activate to provide a warningthat the pedestrian or vehicle is encroaching upon a danger zone.

There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand that will form the subject matter of the invention.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying outthe several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

For a non-limiting example, it is readily apparent that the inventivesystem could be used in any type of intersection or crossing situationsuch as a road intersection to notify vehicles in the area ofapproaching emergency vehicles.

Further, the purpose of the abstract is to enable the US patent andtrademark office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith the patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly fromwhat cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technicaldisclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended todefine the invention of the application, which is measured by theclaims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the presentinvention in any way.

These together with other objects of the present invention, along withthe various features of novelty which characterize the presentinvention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed toand forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of thepresent invention, its operating advantages and the specific objectsattained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanyingdrawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a flow chart of the inventive device.

FIG. 2 is a rendition of the inventive device in service.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a warning zone superimposed upon the inventivedevice sound emission zone.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a conventional warning system sound warning area.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining the preferred embodiment of the present invention indetail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedin its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The present invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

Turning to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a warning system 20for use in conjunction with railway crossings. The inventive systememploys a motion sensing member 22 that serves as a system triggeringmechanism, transducers 24 to detect the speed of the oncoming trackedvehicle. Alternatively, a doppler radar device set nearby could be usedto track acceleration and deceleration of a locomotive.

The transducers, in turn feed information to a controller 26 thatcontains software 28 for calculating train speed and time to reach apredetermined point A and for generating sound emission B, and anacoustic beam emitter 30 for sending a focused beam of sound Cthroughout only a predetermined danger zone D.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a railroad crossing is generally designed withrailroad tracks 12 and a road 14 oriented generally transverse to tracks12 with automobiles 16 crossing track 12 at intersection 18.

The inventive system is activated by a passing train 32 triggering themotion sensing member 22 at predetermined point A causing transducers 24to generate signals to calculate train speed. The motion sensing member22 then sends a signal to computer 36 containing software 28. Software28 calculates the speed of the train in relation to a particularpredetermined railway crossing B. Based upon the speed of the train, thesoftware will calculate the timing and, if needed, the type of warningblast to be emitted from acoustic beam emitter 30. Acoustic beam emitter30 mounted at a point near the intersection and in a direction parallelto the intersecting road then generates a focused beam of sound C in thedirection of the warning zone D, the acoustic beam emitter 30 emitting asound only heard within the warning zone.

Instead of relying on a conventional air horn to generate a warningsound, the present invention uses recently developed ship to shiphailing technology that allows the sound to be focused in a narrow beam,much like the light emitted from a flashlight. When used with a warningsystem, the focused sound is heard only by the motorists and pedestriansthat are in imminent danger. Nearby businesses and neighborhoodresidents are unaffected.

Moreover, the system includes features that cause it to cycle only once,thereby recreating the train horn blast as though coming from the train.

The present invention provides an advance over recent prior art in that,as can be seen in FIG. 4, the prior art systems rely on traditional hornblasts emanating from horns placed at railway intersections. Thus, thesound of the blast is not directed to the actual warning area, as isseen with the present invention, but instead to the general surroundingarea C′. The traditional prior art systems, therefore, disrupt an areafar larger than is necessary and certainly an area much larger than thefocused sound of the present invention as seen in FIG. 3 at C whichcoincides with warning zone D.

As illustrated in the sound comparison chart below, the noise generatedby a warning system can have a major impact on the surrounding area.Sound Comparisons 80 dB 100 dB 70 dB 2x as loud as moderately 90 dB VeryLoud - 8X as loud Moderately Loud loud 4 X as loud as moderately loud asmoderately loud Car @ 25 ft @ 65 mph Shouting @ 3 ft Chain Saw @ 3 ftBoeing 707 or DC-8 aircraft at one nautical mile (6080 ft) beforelanding . . . 106 dB Inside Airplane Cabin Propeller plane flyover atAirplane @ 1000 ft Jet flyover at 1000 feet 1000 ft 103 dB Busy StreetDiesel truck 40 mph at 50 ft Power mower Power Saw Small orchestra Dialtone of telephone Motorcycle at 25 ft Normal conversation at 35 ftTypical Home Stereo Subway train at 200 ft.

As seen in FIG. 3, the area of a 100 dB emission is seen along line Ewhile the prior art has a 100 dB strength sound blast within circle E′(FIG. 4). The present invention has a 60 to 70 dB sound emission alongline F (FIG. 3) while the prior art has the same level blast withincircle F′ (FIG. 4).

In another embodiment of the invention, and turning to FIG. 5, movementdetectors 38 can be placed a multiple locations perpendicular to track12, including but not limited to sidewalk 50 and depot platform crossing52. Detectors 38 are activated when system 20, through controller 26,notifies them of an approaching train. If a pedestrian crossespredetermined point G, a signal is sent to supplementary acoustic soundemitters 40 which, in turn emit a focused beam warning to advise that atrain is approaching and further forward movement is dangerous. Againusing focused beam technology, the warning signal is limited to warningzone H, thus keeping the warning to the danger zone only and notdisrupting the surrounding area.

In yet another embodiment, the system is used for generating warningsounds in areas other than railway crossings. For non-limiting exampleand turning to FIG. 6, the system may be employed at a road intersectionto warn intersection traffic and pedestrians of oncoming emergencyvehicles. In this embodiment, road 54 and road 56 intersection at pointI. Traditional traffic signal devices 58 may be employed. In thisembodiment, activation sensors 60 may be set off by approachingemergency vehicles much in the same way current traffic lights areactivated through the use of lights on the emergency vehiclesthemselves. In turn, the system works as depicted in FIG. 1, therebyresulting in a warning signal being emitted through acoustic beamemitter 30 to a perpendicular road to the approaching emergency vehicle.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of the preferred and alternative embodiments have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially inmatters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles ofthe invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaningof the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

1. A wayside warning system comprising: a motion sensing member fordetecting when a train passes a first predetermined point; a speedcalculation member that provide locomotive/train speed information tothe system; at least one acoustic beam emitter for sending a soundthroughout a predetermined danger zone; and, a controller for signalingto the acoustic beam emitter that the motion sensing member has detectedan oncoming train.
 2. The wayside warning system of claim 1 wherein thespeed calculating member is selected from the group of transducers orradars.
 3. The wayside warning system of claim 1 wherein the controllerfurther includes software for calculating the speed of the train.
 4. Thecontroller of claim 2 wherein the software further calculates the timeit will take for a train to cross a predetermined point.
 5. The waysidewarning system of claim 1 wherein the at least one acoustic beam emitteremits a signal throughout a predetermined warning zone only.
 6. Awayside warning system comprising: a motion sensing member for detectingwhen a train passes a first predetermined point; at least one acousticbeam emitter for sending a sound throughout a predetermined danger zone;and, a controller for signaling to the acoustic beam emitter that themotion sensing member has detected an oncoming train.
 7. The waysidewarning system of claim 5 wherein the controller further includessoftware for calculating the speed of the train.
 8. The controller ofclaim 7 wherein the software further calculates the time it will takefor a train to cross a predetermined point.
 9. The wayside warningsystem of claim 6 wherein the at least one acoustic beam emitter emits asignal throughout a predetermined warning zone only.
 10. The waysidewarning system of claim 6 wherein the vehicle is a train or motorvehicle operating on a roadway.
 11. The wayside warning system of claim6 wherein the acoustic beam emitter generates sound in a focused arraythat can be adjusted to a changing danger zone.
 12. A warning systemcomprising a sensor to detect the approach of a moving object, acontroller that receives a signal from the sensor and activates thewarning system, a second sensor placed at a predetermined point fordetecting the approach of a pedestrian or vehicle that may collide withthe moving object, at least one acoustic beam emitter that emits awarning to a predetermined area if the second sensor is activated.
 13. Amethod for issuing a warning that an oncoming train or other vehicle isapproaching a predetermined point comprising the steps of: placing amotion sensing device for detecting when an oncoming train or othervehicle passes at a predetermined point; activating software forcalculating the speed of a vehicle from input received from a speedcalculating member; and, activating at least one acoustic beam emitterto send a sound throughout a predetermined danger zone with thesoftware.
 14. The method of claim 13 further including the step ofhaving the software calculate the time before the oncoming train orvehicle will pass the predetermined point.
 15. The method of claim 14further including the step of using the software to generate a specificsound for a specific situation.
 16. The method of claim 16 furtherincluding the step of specific sound for a specific situation includes apredetermined sequence of sounds.
 17. The method of claim 14 includingthe further steps of: placing at least one supplementary sensor atpredetermined locations generally parallel to a direction along whichthe oncoming train or other vehicle is traveling; associating acousticbeam emitters with the at least one supplementary sensor, the acousticbeam emitters emitting a focused warning sound to a second predetermineddanger zone if the at least one supplementary sensor is activated. 18.The method of claim 14 including the further steps of selecting a speedcalculating member from the group of transducers or radars.